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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Orthotopic Implantation and Peripheral Immune Cell Monitoring in the II-45 Syngeneic Rat Mesothelioma Model
Published on: October 2, 2015
Update on malignant mesothelioma
Karen Antman1, Raffit Hassan, Milton Eisner
1Provost, Boston University Medical Campus Dean, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. kha4@bu.edu
Abstract:
Mesotheliomas are uncommon in the United States, with an incidence of about 3,000 new cases per year (or a risk of about 11 per million Americans per year). Incidence and mortality, however, are probably underestimated. Most are associated with asbestos, although some have arisen in ports of prior radiation, and a reported association with simian virus (SV)40 remains controversial. About 85% of mesotheliomas arise in the pleura, about 91% in the peritoneum, and a small percentage in the pericardium or tunica vaginalis testis. The histology of about half of mesotheliomas is epithelial (tubular papillary), with the remainder sarcomatous or mixed. Multicystic mesotheliomas and well-differentiated papillary mesotheliomas are associated with long survival in the absence of treatment and should be excluded from clinical trials intended for the usual rapidly lethal histologic variants of the disease. The median survival is under a year, although longer median survivals for selected patients, particularly those with epithelial histology, have been reported in some combined-modality studies. Recent randomized trials have shown significant improvement in time to progression and survival for the addition of new antifolates to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Insights
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer often linked to asbestos exposure, affects around 3,000 Americans annually. Recent chemotherapy advancements show improved outcomes for patients with this asbestos-related cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mesotheliomas are rare cancers with an incidence of approximately 3,000 new cases per year in the U.S.
- Most cases are asbestos-related, though radiation and simian virus 40 (SV40) are potential, albeit controversial, factors.
- Mesotheliomas predominantly affect the pleura (85%) and peritoneum (91%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiology, histology, and prognostic factors of mesothelioma.
- To highlight recent therapeutic advancements in mesothelioma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on mesothelioma incidence and mortality.
- Analysis of histological subtypes and their impact on prognosis.
- Summary of findings from recent randomized clinical trials on chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Mesothelioma incidence and mortality may be underestimated.
- Epithelial histology is associated with better survival, while multicystic and well-differentiated papillary types have a better prognosis and should be considered separately in trials.
- Addition of antifolates to platinum-based chemotherapy significantly improves time to progression and survival.
Conclusions:
- Mesothelioma remains a challenging diagnosis with varied histology and prognosis.
- Current treatment strategies, particularly chemotherapy combinations, offer improved outcomes for mesothelioma patients.
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